We are listening!  In response to the survey you participated in last semester, AIS-R Dining Hall food offerings are going to be improved.  Our major focus is to provide healthier selections of meals and snacks for students, faculty and staff.  To accomplish this, we have enlisted the help of a certified health and wellness advisor to consult with our main food services provider, Al Gosaibi Catering.  With their expert input, through mutual cooperation and a brand new chef, we have come up with a program to meet our objective of providing an increased selection of healthier meals and snacks for the AIS-R community to enjoy.

You are right! Having healthy, nutritious food choices has never been more important.  In fact, in the US alone 25% of teenagers are obese.  Polls show that 17% of boys and 19% of girls between the ages of two and fifteen are overweight.  And children with parents who are overweight are twice more likely to become obese as well.  This type of obesity contributes to many chronic ailments that include joint pain, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart disease and arthritis, to name a few.^1,2 Furthermore, one of many studies have proven the association between overall quality of diet and academic performance; children who consumed higher amounts of foods rich in omega 3 fatty acids, fruits, and vegetables scored higher on a standard literacy assessments, regardless of socioeconomic backgrounds.² Another study suggests that modifying food provision and the dining environment can improve learning-related behaviors of secondary school pupils in the post-lunch period.⁵ Saudi Arabia also has a growing obesity problem.  The popular trend of fast food deliveries in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is one of many contributing factors.⁴ We have more than enough reasons for AISR to be committed to improving food selections.

Our program for improvement is a multi-phased one, with an emphasis on adding healthier alternatives to allow students to make better choices.   Such a multi-phased approach will allow for the initial phase to present immediate remedial changes, one being the additional fresh fruit juice kiosk along with a hot sandwich station.  Another significant improvement was the addition of a grill house using locally procured fresh meat and a fully serviced salad bar with 20 different offerings.  The subsequent phases shall focus on the substitution of present ingredients with proven, nutritiously wholesome alternatives, the gradual reduction of unhealthy foods, and the longer term requirements of establishing school policies that promote awareness and understanding of the need for proper nutrition.

The changes will take time.  And they have a cost.  In order to support the rise in local food prices as well as our new health-focused initiative, our main food services provider must raise current prices.  For example, our main hot meal will increase from SR 12 to SR 16.    Please be reminded that in spite of rising Saudi food prices, partially due to its high dependency on imports of basic food commodities, the last price adjustment by Al Gosaibi Catering was implemented in August 2008.³ We will work with Al Gosaibi Catering to make yearly, gradual increases to reflect current inflation rates.  Adjusted food prices will be in effect as of March 2012.

Expect additional wholesome changes. Beginning in March, we will introduce more fruit and vegetables in the Elementary and Middle School / High School menus.  In addition, meals prepared with wholegrain and whole wheat varieties of breads, flours, pastas and rice, and non-hydrogenated cooking oils will be included.  Our new chef will also endeavor to keep the menu varied in order to cater to the sophisticated palettes of our student body.  On top of these delicious, nutritious changes, we are adding a fresh fruit bar in the MS/HS dining hall, which will provide a seasonal, colorful selection for our students to choose from.  Stay tuned for the full March menu which will be posted on Moodle!

Once again, we are listening!    We have now created an email account where you may provide your comments, suggestions and insight to the food offerings at AIS-R ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ).  We promise to do our best to address any questions and concerns that you may have, and we appreciate your partnership with us in this healthy improvement initiative.  We look forward to your support and feedback as we strive to improve the food offerings at AIS-R.

Armando Henry
Facilities Director

References:

Nestle, Marion. Food Politics. London, England: University Of California Press, 2008. Print.

CDC. "Tips for Parents – Ideas to Help Children Maintain a Healthy Weight." Centers For Disease Control And Prevention. N.p., 31 Oct. 2011. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. <http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/children/index.html>.

Arab News. "Kingdom 'vulnerable to High Food Prices'." Arab News.com. N.p., 20 Dec. 2011. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. <www.arabnews.com/economy/article550731>.

Al-Fawaz, Naida. "Foodies Digesting Growing Home Delivery Culture in the Kingdom." Arab News.com. N.p., 18 Dec. 2011. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. www.arabnews.com/economy/article549638>.

Storey, HC, J Pearce, PA Ashfield-Watt, L Wood, E Baines, and M Nelson. "A Randomized Controlled Trial of the Effect of School Food and Dining Room Modifications on Classroom Behaviour in Secondary School Children." Pubmed.gov. U.S. National Library Of Medicine, 27 Oct. 2010. Web. 4 Feb. 2012. <http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20978529>.